I've talked about this before, but I've had pretty frequent and essentially completely asymptomatic atrial fibrillation issue, first noticed last April. After a handful of additional tests through the year, I saw the cardiac electrophysiologist I was referred to at the start of last December. The Farapulse procedure he'll do to burn out areas of my heart that are causing the improper heartbeat will be this Wednesday, March 4th. I have a time to report for the procedure although the hospital considers that "preliminary and subject to change" until they call me Tuesday afternoon.
I consider being able to sit here at the computer for blogging to be at risk for both Tuesday and Wednesday with Wednesday being "almost certainly" a day off. It's really a WAG. There's at least a dozen "what ifs" that can affect those so it doesn't make much sense to speculate.
I also have to get some lab work done tomorrow but that should have no effect on things here.
The part I know the least about is Wednesday after the procedure. The doctor's office said to plan to spend Wednesday night in the hospital but the handful of videos I've watched all pretty much say people go home afterwards. It's hard to know if they just want me prepared to spend the night if I have to and details like 20% go home the day of the procedure or if it's more like 80%. I guess I'll find out. Back in '16 was the last time I spent the night in a hospital and while I went home the next afternoon, I was pretty well doped up for a couple of days after that.
I don't know how restricted my movements and life will be as I heal.
Image from a Boston Scientific advertisement for the Farapulse system. This is
the thing they're going to shove up a blood vessel from my thigh all the way up to
my heart.
As always, your first priority should be yourself. I am sure that we all wish for a flawless procedure and good results.
ReplyDeleteHad a camera shoved up my femoral vein up through my heart (which was a weird feeling, let me tell you) to my left pinky finger in order to check out if I had successfully sliced most all of my veins and arteries in said pinky finger when I put a knife through it, not into it, through it.
ReplyDeleteSo I kinda have an idea of what you will be going through, for the most part.
Take it easy, follow instructions, enjoy a couple days of slower life.
Looking forward to your after-action reports.
And, yes, prayers for your successful and speedy recovery. And for your wife who will have to put up with you in a slower and more, uh, less moving time.
Take care of you and come back to us, only when you're ready for it, SiG. I had cardiac ablation done in 2021 and it greatly improved things. A single overnight in the hospital for me (I am quite close to you in candle wax, i.e., elapsed birthdays).
ReplyDeletePer my cardiologist, my heart is "behaving" far better now after the ablation, and I have recommended it to others. BTW, from my unfortunately extensive experience with cardiac stuff (pardon the technical terminology here), a groin cath is far better than either a wrist or neck - I've had all sorts of things inserted into my heart from all three paths of entry, and the creepiness level/pain/recovery is vastly better with that fat pipeline available in the thigh. However, your performance may vary.
A prayer for you and the Doc beforehand from this end.
Sig; wishing you the very best outcome possible. Like you, I am finding out more and more everyday that getting older is not for sissies.
ReplyDeleteEdC